Ah, democracy! We’re lucky enough to live in a country that allows us to choose our leaders from the comfort of home… well, somebody else’s home.

The term “polling place” no longer refers to government-affiliated stations. It doesn’t even apply solely to the gymnasiums, rec centers, and holy houses (complete with lemonade and Rice Krispie treats) we’ve come to associate with booths and ballots on election days.

For a decade or so, folks have volunteered their garages to the political cause by converting their two-vehicle carports (call it a new kind of “garage conversion,” if you will) into voting HQs.

Our editor came across one such vote-abode just north of Lincoln Blvd. on Santa Monica’s Pine Street.

Gaille Chua and I visited the two-story white home with a bench in front and an American flag waving from its second floor, with a line of enthusiastic voters at the open garage’s door. From young Berkeley-esque parents with bohemian-looking babies ensconced in modern stroller contraptions, self-contained middle-aged professionals taking a break from the workday to vote in their neighborhood, to elderly individuals making their way to the polls alone or in pairs, Barbara Bouer’s home was a hub of activity from as early as 6 a.m. to the closing 8 p.m.

Bouer explained she started offering her home to the country every first Tuesday in November when a canvasser let her know that hosting an election was possible. Excited to give her adopted country what the Toronto-born nurse called her “little civic contribution,” she opened her house to voters 12 years ago, sharing bagels and coffee with these visitors every year.

Canvassers pay her $20 backs to commandeer her garage Monday and Tuesday. Together, they all set up decision-making shop, and the rest is, well… you know the score.

The lean West side woman never asks how her “guests” are voting, but says she’s happy to watch them exercise their democratic rights.

“It’s none of my business, but I hope they’re voting right!” She laughed. “Either way, we’re all having fun here.”

She says her house was more popular today than it’s ever been, but not because her home’s improved.

“People are just so excited,” she said. “I’ve never seen lines like this. People got here at 6 a.m., and I had to remind them they weren’t allowed in for another hour.”